Main menu

Ferrari reportedly looking to make return to Le Mans

August 1, 2013

Ferrari is apparently looking to make a comeback at Le Mans. Photo by FERRARI

Ferrari is reported to be looking at a sensational return to the Le Mans 24 Hours. The Italian supercar maker has a sports-car feasibility study in progress as it evaluates other possible applications for its new-for-2014 Formula One “hybrid” technology.

Last month, the Scuderia’s sporting director, Stefano Domenicali, was not able to deny speculation in the Italian media to the effect that the manufacturer might use its new turbo V6 powertrain for an LM-P1 sports prototype. He told the La Stampa newspaper, “The new turbo engine for introduction in Formula One next year would allow some interesting projects. But at the moment I cannot say more.”

Now, German magazine Auto Motor und Sport quotes a source claiming that Ferrari is “seriously considering” such a project as early as 2015, and that the company will decide before the end of this year whether to give it the green light.

The source points out that, in addition to the economies of scale that could be achieved with another application for the new powertrain, the Scuderia now has substantial spare capacity in its Maranello factory due to the latest F1 resource restrictions, particularly with regard to wind-tunnel time.

In addition, a Le Mans program would enable Ferrari to compete with direct competitors in the form of Audi and Porsche, not to mention Toyota. Honda has also indicated that it might use its 2015 Formula One engine in the sports-prototype class.

Ferrari’s president, Luca di Montezemelo, recently remarked that the company wants to race against other prestige manufacturers, not “lemonade makers,” as he disrespectfully referred to Red Bull.

Enzo Ferrari built up his business largely on the back of nine Le Mans victories, starting soon after he began producing branded automobiles with the first post-war 24 Hours in 1949. The company has not won since NART’s 250LM inherited an unexpected victory in 1965 and has not operated a factory team in the great race since 1973 -- when its car was powered by the contemporary F1 engine.

In 1993, Ferrari began building an IMSA World Sports Car for American customers, some of whom raced them at Le Mans, without success. Since then, the company’s Corse Clienti division has established a thriving business supplying GT racing customers with race-developed versions of its passenger cars.